Six months later
We’re gonna be late,” Ethan griped.
“Usually you’re fussin’ at us to hurry up.” Jess McCready flopped on his bed in the corner.
Bo rinsed his face and chest then grabbed the towel to dry. The boys were dressed in nice shirts, their hair combed. Ready to go, except—
“Jess. Find a pair of pants that don’t have a hole in the knee.”
“Sorry.” Cheeks flushing, he dug into the trunk at the foot of his bed.
Ethan loosed a frustrated growl. “C’mon. It’s Leah’s birthday.”
“We won’t be late.” Bo dried himself off. “I sent you both in to clean up a full twenty minutes before I closed up shop, just to keep us on time.”
He replaced the towel and combed his hair then pulled on a red shirt. As he fastened the buttons, he flexed his right hand. The wounds had healed, and he’d kept use of the appendage, though his hand was still stiff and clumsy at times. Thankfully, he’d taught himself to do some blacksmithing skills left-handed as he’d healed.
Bo tucked in his shirttails. “One of you dump the dirty wash water, and we’ll be on our way.”
Both flew past him, laughing and shoving.
“Careful, now! No messes.” Last thing they needed was to slosh water down their good clothes or across the floor.
In the instant Ethan jerked the door open and Jess flung the water out, both boys went ramrod stiff.
“What is the meaning of this?” an unfamiliar voice boomed.
Bo hurried to the door. Outside stood a stately gentleman in a fine suit, now dripping from chest to knees. Ire sparked in the man’s expression.
“I am so sorry.” Bo fought to stifle his laughter. He reached for a clean towel hanging on the washstand then handed it to the man. “I assure you, that was an accident.”
Fuming, the man snatched the towel, patted his face dry, then rubbed at his flabby midsection. His eyes widened, and he withdrew a pocket watch and held it to his ear.
“That little brat ruined my watch.”
“I’m sorry.” Bo spoke the words deliberately. “The boys didn’t realize anyone would be there. Now, may I help you?”
“Are you Allen Bowdrie, the blacksmith?” He continued to rub at the water.
“I’m the blacksmith, yes.” It wasn’t worth correcting him, given the circumstances. “What can I do for you?”
“I have need of your services. Immediately.”
“Tonight?”
“That is the meaning of immediately, isn’t it? Without delay … at once.”
“Reckon it is, Mr.—”
“Richard Shenley, hotelier.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Shenley, I’m about to be late for an important evening appointment.”
“I doubt whatever you’re doing is that important.”
Irritation skittered down his spine. “Come back tomorrow, and I might be able to accommodate your needs on an immediate basis. But it’ll cost double my going rates.”
“Double—” He tapped his foot. “That’s robbery.”
“No, sir. That’s standard.”
The man looked first at Ethan then Jess. “Are these your children?”
Bo looped his arms around the boys’ shoulders. “They’re kin. What of ’em?”
“The little one ruined a very expensive timepiece when he doused me with water. If you don’t want to be sued for the cost of its replacement, then I expect you’ll reopen your shop and take care of this work for me. Tonight.”
The old familiar stir of anger began in Bo’s belly. “You expect that, do you?”
“I demand it.”
“Demand?” The urge to plant his fist in the man’s nose bubbled to the surface.
“That is what I said.”
Both boys stiffened as Bo pushed past them.
“Bo—” Ethan’s tone held a hint of warning.
Images of Leah and her kin, Jess, Reese and his family, and the various friends he’d made in Elverton—far too many he’d disappoint by losing his temper over one sanctimonious dolt. “I told you I’m closed for today. You want to sue me for that watch, there’s a fine attorney here in Elverton. I’m sure he’ll listen with interest to your complaint.” He mustered a smile. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve somewhere to be.”
Bo shut and locked the door in Shenley’s face and snatched his hat from its peg on the wall. He stalked to the door leading to the alley. “Let’s go.”
“We’re off to set the table.” Hope scurried through the door between Katie and Reese’s kitchen and dining room, carrying a stack of plates.
Leah grinned as Mae plucked the basket with napkins and silverware from the counter then followed, leaning on a single crutch as she shuffled toward the door.
“I’ll get your other crutch.” Leah reached for it.
“I don’t need it for this.” Mae slid her arm through the basket handle and pushed the door open. “It’ll just be in the way.”
Leah’s throat knotted as her sister exited the room.
Katie sidled up next to her, wrapping an arm about Leah’s shoulders. “Seems to me, Mae moves better every time I see her. I think those braces are helping her regain her strength.”
“Or her confidence,” Leah whispered, fighting to swallow her emotion. “Either way, it’s good to see my sister more able to participate in life again.”
“It is, at that.” Katie gave her a sisterly hug then nodded toward the oven. “Biscuits should be about done.”
“I’ll get them.”
Just as Leah withdrew the pan of golden biscuits from Katie’s oven, a single knock sounded at the back door. Both she and Katie turned as the door opened, and Bo’s big frame filled the space. Her heart fluttered fiercely at the sight of him in his new red shirt.
“Oh, no you don’t, Bo Allen.” Katie jabbed a finger toward the door. “Out! You wipe your boots before you come in from that alley.”
Wearing an impish grin, Bo locked eyes on Leah just before he turned back to his sister-in-law. “Yes, ma’am.”
He backed up, deliberately wiped his boots, then entered again. “Better?” He smiled at her across the room.
“Better,” Katie confirmed, “but why on earth are you three coming in my back door?”
“We were avoiding someone at our front door.” Jess dashed in and gave Katie a hug.
“What was that about?” Leah squatted to give the boy a hug of her own. He’d changed after Burl and Sean McCready had disappeared out of his life. Sweet, charming, and completely loveable. She’d enjoyed watching both Jess and Bo blossom into different people once Bo took him in.
“Well, first, I threw water on this fella, then he demanded Bo open the shop back up and do something for him, and when Bo said no, the fella said he’s gonna sue Bo because I wrecked his watch.”
“What?” Mind reeling from the whirlwind description, Leah rocked to her feet. “Someone’s going to sue you?”
Bo stepped over and hoisted Jess up by the arms until he was at Bo’s eye level. “Thanks, kid. You weren’t supposed to worry her on her birthday.”
“Sorry …”
“Go find Hazel and Violet. They’re probably anxious to see you.” Bo lowered the boy again, and Jess darted away.
“Happy birthday, sis.” Ethan circled past for a hug before heading into the dining room to greet Mae and Hope.
With only Bo and Katie in the room, Leah faced him. “Is this something serious? Do you need to be concerned?”
“I don’t know. The fella was dressed in an expensive-lookin’ suit. But him getting doused was a stupid accident. And he walked in demanding I drop everything to work on something for him. Even went so far as to say whatever my plans were tonight couldn’t be as important as what he needed done.”
Leah’s eyes widened. “That didn’t go well, did it?” Oh Lord, please don’t let him have punched the man.
“Don’t look so frightened. I told him Elverton’s got a fine attorney if he wanted to sue me. Then we left out the back door.”
Katie giggled. “You know my husband won’t help the man sue Bo. In fact, that’ll be a conversation Reese will have a lot of fun with.”
Leah shook her head and turned her attention to the biscuits.
“Happy birthday,” Bo whispered as she transferred the first from pan to a plate.
“Thank you. How was the rest of your day?”
“No complaints. Got several projects done.” Bo hovered near her shoulder as she worked. “Those biscuits look mighty tasty.” He reached for one.
Leah smacked his hand away. “They’re for the meal, not before.”
He pulled his hand back but continued to hover. “You’re really beautiful. You know that?”
Her face grew hot, and she elbowed him. “Give me some room to work, please. Go find your brother.”
Katie giggled at them. “Reese walked back to his office for a minute. He shouldn’t be long.”
“Then make yourself useful. Carry those platters to the table.” Leah pointed at the serving dishes.
“Oh, fine then.” Bo turned as if to leave but reached around and snagged one of the biscuits from the perfectly arranged plate.
“Bowdrie Allen!” She dropped the table knife she’d been using to extract the biscuits and made a grab for it. He lifted it high overhead and walked out of the kitchen.
“Give me that.” She chased him into the dining room. “I have exactly the same number of biscuits as people.”
“Come take it from me.” He looped around the big table, pausing long enough to give both Mae and Hope a peck on the top of the head before he moved toward the door to the hallway.
“Bo!” Leah hopped along after him, trying to reach the biscuit.
At her sisters’ delighted tittering, Leah shot both a withering glare. They were only spurring him on.
As he neared the door to the entry hall, Bo caught her hand and drew her across and into the sitting room, out of everyone’s view.
“What are you doing? I have to help with dinner.”
He set the biscuit down on an end table then pulled her into his arms. “It’s your birthday. I bet they can do without you for a minute.”
Leah braced her hands against his chest and pushed away, trying to break his grip. But when he sank his fingers into her curls and pulled her to his chest, she gave up with a contented sigh. This was where she liked to be—safely wrapped in his embrace.
“I have something for you.” His words rumbled against her ear.
She shook her head. “I told you I didn’t need anything.”
“Reckon you did, but I thought maybe you’d need this. Or … want it.” Bo drew a yellow paper from his back pocket.
Still wrapped in his embrace, she unfolded the paper and smoothed it against his chest. She squinted then turned the page right side up. There, a beautiful pencil drawing of a rambling one-story house with a wide wraparound porch captivated her attention, followed by the words:
Will you be my wife and live here with me?
A happy little giggle bubbled out of her.
“What? You’re laughing. Did I spell something wrong?”
“You spelled everything perfectly.”
“Then why’re you giggling?”
“That house looks big enough to sleep an army.”
Understanding lit his eyes, and he set the drawing aside. “Well, we’ll need space for the two of us. Mae. Hope. Ethan. Jess. And I’m hopin’ at least a few more….”
Leah’s cheeks flamed. “I might be prone to mollycoddle you.”
“I’m counting on it.” He sank his fingers into her curls once more and trailed kisses along her jaw to her lips. Her heart thundered as she melted into him. Oh, heavens, she loved this man.
She wasn’t sure how long they’d kissed before the soft clearing of someone’s throat intruded on the moment. Bo broke the kiss, though she clung to him, not wanting the heady feeling of his lips to leave.
“Did you ask?” Reese grinned.
Bo ducked his head. “After a fashion.”
“And?”
Their family pressed into the doorway, led by a grinning Mae.
“I think that kiss was a yes.” Bo pulled back enough to look at her. “That’s what that meant, right? Yes?”
Leah giggled. “It was a resounding yes.”